intermittent rubbing noise when driving

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Sep 22, 2008 | 08:24 PM

jmcder53

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intermittent rubbing noise when driving

you know how it sounds when you get a rock stuck in the tread and it "clicks" every time it hits the road and the clicks get faster as you accelerate. i'm having a similar issue, but it is a rubbing noise, not so much metal on metal, but i've wondered if it could be the brakes, sometimes they squeak. with the window down i can hear the noise up to about 40 mph, after that the wind noise drowns it out. any ideas what it could be?

the truck has 40,000 miles, i've been told brakes should be good to about 60,000. the only other thing is it still has the original tires, and they are showing some signs of drying-cracking around the outer tread. could this have some effect?

Sep 22, 2008 | 09:36 PM

Ultramagdan

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From: Kansas

Do you use your emergency brake? The cables that run back to the rear are known for sticking and not fully releasing.

Sep 22, 2008 | 10:00 PM

jmcder53

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yes i do. so can the cables be greased to remedy the problem?

Sep 23, 2008 | 03:58 PM

murph1

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Joined: Aug 2005

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From: southeast mi

look at the front caliper slides and make sure they move freely...take them apart and look use synthetic grease while it is apart and lube..use the clear or creamy looking grease not the darker grey synthetic grease its junk...just had this same problem...

it could also be a front cv joint they kind of click when they wear....
assuming you have 4 wheel drive...

good luck

Sep 23, 2008 | 03:59 PM

96f150

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Nov 2000

Posts: 1,713

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From: In my House

Jm, jack up each front tire by itself, and spin the tire by hand slowly and you might here it. I had the same noise your describing, and it was where the cv joint boot meets the bearing. I just loosened the Axle nut and pushed the spline back a bit , and greased it a bit from the inside.....problem solved.
Rich

Sep 23, 2008 | 04:36 PM

Parts Guy Wyatt

Former Vendor

Joined: Jan 2006

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From: Seattle

It could also be a u-joint in the driveshaft that is going bad. That can also cause the type of sound you are describing. Dan.

Sep 25, 2008 | 09:03 PM

jmcder53

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Joined: Apr 2008

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thanks for the input. i'm gonna either do the suggested ideas here friday afternoon or saturday. i will let you guys know what i find out. hopefully it won't be too expensive or time consuming.
oh yea, it is only a 2 wheel drive.